NIE awards Energy Efficiency Accreditation to SELB

The Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) has been awarded an Energy Efficiency Accreditation by Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE).

This is only the third organisation in Northern Ireland to be accepted into the scheme.

Sponsored by NIE, the aim of the scheme is to provide independent standards of assessment and public recognition for the effective management and efficient use of energy by organizations in business, industry and the public sector.

In order to achieve this Accreditation, the SELB, which provides a range of services to over 300 schools and 23 libraries, has been involved in a review of its energy efficiency activities over a period of six years. This has included efforts made in relation to benchmarking its buildings and use of effective monitoring and targeting procedures. The Board has also been involved in raising awareness of energy matters through various programmes in local schools both to staff and pupils.

Accepting the award, SELB Chief Executive, Helen McClenaghan said: “Receiving this Accreditation demonstrates the SELB’s firm commitment to energy efficiency both by staff and to the community we serve. Our board is totally committed to improving the environment, as demonstrated by the fact that all SELB schools use NIE’s wind generated electricity, Eco Energy.

“The accreditation scheme will continue to help us to measure our performance and indicate where further improvements and savings can be made.”

Northern Ireland assessor for the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme (EEAS) Dr Patrick Waterfield from the National Energy Foundation (NEF), who manage and control the scheme said: “I was very impressed with the significant and progressive improvements in energy efficiency standards within SELB, which follow from the commitment of management and their support for the Energy and Environment Officer Robert McCreery.”

Speaking at the award ceremony Dr Andy McCrea NIE’s Energy Services Manager said: “The SELB has shown a tremendous commitment to the environment. They have taken very positive steps which will show real cost savings, a significantly lower energy consumption and environmental benefits.”

(SP)